Former EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy will fulfil "her genuine ambition of a lifetime" by training as a carer for a new BBC One series.
The 12-part series, which has the working title Natalie Cassidy Learning to Care, has been commissioned by BBC Daytime with support from BBC Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen.
It will be made by Newry's Big Mountain Productions for the BBC.
Best known for playing EastEnders' Sonia Fowler, Cassidy "will study, work and care alongside the next generation of young carers" as part of the series.
Cassidy will begin filming this month and continue "throughout her year of qualifying, through exams, placements, work and home life".
"Together, her and her fellow students will push open the door to the UK's healthcare providers and put the spotlight on something we all face at some point in our lives - who will care for our parents, who will care for our children... and who will care for us?" said the BBC.
"I'm thrilled to be embarking on a new adventure with BBC Daytime," said Cassidy.
"In a series exploring social care, I will be going back to college and learning for the first time since leaving school at 16.
"Caring has always been a huge part of my life, from watching my mum care for my nan, to being a mother, and caring for my dad. This series is close to my heart and I can't wait for you to see it."
Earlier this month, Cassidy bowed out of EastEnders after more than 30 years as Sonia.
Take an exclusive look behind the scenes of Sonia Fowler's aka @Nat_Cassidy during the filming of her final scenes here, at #EastEnders pic.twitter.com/591xKQsihM
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) April 17, 2025
